1. The Incomparable Church

2. Views of the Church ✓F✓Founded upon a man; looking to a man for guidance ✓A✓An intentionally divided body allowing for differences in teaching and action ✓A✓A temporary measure while waiting for the Kingdom

3. " 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:18–19 (NASB95)

4. A Divine Institution ✓J✓Jesus affirms that He is the founder and builder of the Church Matt 16:18

5. " 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:16–17 (NASB95) Jesus sets a contrast between the mortal and the Divine

6. A Divine Institution Son of GodFather In HeavenUpon this RockSon of JonaFlesh and BloodBlessed are You

7. A Divine Institution ✓ Jesus affirms that He is the founder and builder of the Church Matt 16:18 ✓ Sixty-eight of the 85 (4 of 5) ancient quotations from he Church fathers that are known to comment on this passage deny that Peter was the “rock” (Chumbley, p.299 and Salmon p.335)

8. A Divine Institution “That is, On this faith and confession I will build my Church. Herein shewing that many should believe what Peter had confessed, and raising his understanding, and making him His shepherd.” Chrysostom

9. A Divine Institution “…I know that since that I have often explained these words of the Lord, Thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build my Church, as meaning upon Him whom Peter had confessed in the words, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God; and so that Peter, taking his name from this rock, would represent the Church, which is built upon this rock. For it is not said to him, Thou art the rock, but, Thou art Peter. (1 Cor. 10:4.) But the rock was Christ, whom because Simon thus confessed, as the whole Church confesses Him, he was named Peter. Let the reader choose whether of these two opinions seems to him the more probable.” Chrysostom

10. A Divine Institution ✓ Jesus affirms that He is the founder and builder of the Church Matt 16:18 ✓ Sixty-eight of the 85 (4 of 5) ancient quotations from he Church fathers that are known to comment on this passage deny that Peter was the “rock” (Chumbley, p.299 and Salmon p.335) ✓ Peter did not think the church was built on him

11. Under the Authority of Christ ✓ All authority has been given Him by the one source ✓ The Church is His to command by right of purchase ✓ Christ has not delegated away His authority

12. Under the Authority of Christ “ 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [a]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [b]must be what is already loosed in heaven.” ( Matt 16:19 Williams Bible)

13. Undenominational ✓ Jesus did not speak of “churches”

14. " 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word" John 17:19–20 (NASB95) Undenominational United as one body

15. Undenominational " 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:17–21 (NASB95) United as one body Believing a Single Truth

16. " 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:17–21 (NASB95) Undenominational United as one body Believing a Single Truth Unity compared to the Godhead

17. " 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:17–21 (NASB95) Undenominational United as one body Believing a Single Truth Unity compared to the Godhead Unity that destroys religious Division

18. Undenominational ✓ Jesus did not speak of “churches” ✓ Creeds, confessions, and councils divide what should be united

19. Fulfills OT Kingdom Prophecy ✓ Keys to the “kingdom” given to Peter ✓ Keys symbolize authority and stewardship ✓ In Acts 2, Peter preaches of the kingdom those who believed were added to the Church!